Chapter 42 – Rage, Retcons, and Rooftop Revelations
Location: Dominion Ring – Bio-Alchemy Lab & West Garden Rooftops
Date: December 10, 2008
Time: 10:12 AM
Adam stood in front of a glass vat labeled:
"GAMMA-RADICALIZED ALCHEMICAL TEST – DO NOT OPEN – Seriously, Wong."
He turned to Betty Ross, who was wearing a sleek lab coat and glaring at the vat like it had offended her thesis.
"You really made a gamma mana hybrid?" she asked, pushing her glasses up with one gloved finger.
Adam shrugged. "Technically, I just combined radiation theory with mana-rich catalysts and hoped I didn't cause an eldritch detonation."
Betty crossed her arms. "You're a lunatic."
"And yet," Adam said proudly, "a lunatic with a floating fortress, infinite fruit, and five sarcasm-based emotional perks."
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
[Emotional Spike Detected – Scientific Awe / Existential Dread / Mutual Disrespect Flirting]
[Skill Fragment Gained: Gamma Conduction (1%) → Doubled to 2%]
[System Currency Gained: +1,000]
Betty circled the lab. "You could do something big with this."
Adam's eyebrow twitched. "You mean like revolutionize medical science?"
"No," she said, tapping the console. "I mean... make Hulk coffee. One sip and boom—no more Mondays."
"…Terrifying. And kind of brilliant."
"I know," she said flatly. "I'm me."
Meanwhile – West Garden Rooftops
Jessica, Frank, Luke, and Nyxara were watching a group of recruits try to meditate under a mana tree. One of the trees burped out a glowing fruit that hovered like a lazy drone.
A farmer ran after it, missed, and fell face-first into a pond.
Luke clapped once. "That's ten points."
Nyxara tilted her head. "Is this training or just… suffering with extra steps?"
Frank didn't look up from polishing his new sniper rifle. "Same thing."
Jessica sipped a glowing drink. "Can someone explain how these mana-fruits keep getting sassier? One of them rolled away from me this morning. Uphill."
Frank grunted. "Because Adam probably overfed them sarcasm."
Back in the Lab
Adam opened a file labeled "Memory Transfer Sigil – Prototype." The spell shimmered with golden runes.
He turned to Betty. "This lets me share mental imagery with recruits. Not total mind control, more like... a magical LinkedIn portfolio."
Betty raised an eyebrow. "And you want to use it on me?"
"Well, yes. To convince you I'm not just a floating cult leader."
"You literally have soul contracts and a city that answers to you."
"…Okay. Floating benevolent cult leader."
She snorted. "Fine. Show me your alternate timeline resume."
Adam activated the sigil. Light spilled out, and Betty's eyes dilated.
Images slammed into her mind:
A Bruce who became the Hulk permanently, lost in rage.
Herself turned into Red She-Hulk, hunted by SHIELD.
Entire timelines where she died trying to protect him.
Another where she created a cure and vanished with it, hunted across multiverses.
Then…
A version where she and Bruce lived quietly, helping others.
One where she became a gamma-based healer.
A version of her creating mana-gamma therapy—healing through stabilized rage.
Betty staggered back, heart pounding.
"…That was a lot."
"I know."
"But it means I could... do more."
Adam smiled softly. "You already do."
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
[Emotional Spike Detected – Conflicted Hope / Righteous Fury / Intellectual Awakening]
[Skill Fragment Gained: Gamma Resonance Field (3%) → Doubled to 6%]
[System Currency Gained: +3,500]
[New A-Level Skill Acquired: Gamma Healing Core]
– Converts excess mana into controlled cellular regeneration via gamma-charged energy. Can be shared with trusted followers via Eternal Vow.
Betty blinked. "Okay, now I really want to do science. Dangerous, morally ambiguous science."
Adam handed her a glowing vial labeled Please Don't Drink This Unless You Want a Sixth Sense.
She smiled. "What does this do?"
"Mostly gives you a sixth sense. Sometimes makes you hear trees talking."
"…Weird flex, but okay."
Later – Adam's Tower Library
Adam updated the magical contract glyphs to include optional visions for potential allies. Then he summoned a few Dominion sub-rings and tucked them into a case.
Frank poked his head in. "Betty wants gamma bees."
"…Why?"
"She says if they pollinate the mana orchard, we might get flying fruit."
Adam blinked. "That's either genius or a war crime."
"I told her you'd love it."
"Of course I do. Get the rune nets."
End of Chapter 42